It’s an effort that hasn’t succeeded in the past, but Kevin McAllister is once again lobbying Suffolk County to take methoprene out of its mosquito spraying plan as the county considers its course of action for next year. READ

Five locations across Riverhead Town and Flanders will be treated for mosquito larvae Thursday, county officials announced.

Indian Island in Riverhead, Overlook, Crescent Duck Farm, and Aquebogue Farm in Aquebogue, Iron Point in Flanders and Millar Farm in Jamesport will all be sprayed with Vectobac 12 AS pesticide by helicopter from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to the Suffolk County Department of Public Works.

Five locations in Southold Town will also be sprayed: Great Hog Neck, Pine Neck Creek, and Pipes Cove in Southold; Kerwin Boulevard in Greenport; and New Suffolk.

Residents on the North Fork are unlikely to be exposed to the pesticides, which “have no significant human toxicity,” a press release states. Health department officials said the places being sprayed are salt marshes not near residential areas.

The pesticide is registered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and are applied in accordance with the required state and federal permits, county officials said.

Should weather conditions stop the operation, treatment will continue on the next suitable day. Residents don’t need to take precautions against the pesticide, as the helicopter will be flying at “a very low level” over marsh areas.

For more information, call the Suffolk County Division of Vector Control at (631) 852-4270 or the Spraying Information Hotline (631) 852-4939.

To help detect and prevent the spread of the West Nile virus, an infection transmitted by mosquitos, the county Department of Health Services has issued healthcare tips and activated a public health hotline.

West Nile virus is spread to humans by mosquitoes that have fed on birds infected with the virus.

Residents who see dead birds, such as crows, blue jays and hawks that may have been infected are encouraged to report sightings to the Department of Health Services’ public health hotline at 631-787-2200between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The hotline will be active until Labor Day.

Birds meeting department criteria will be picked up between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. to be tested for the virus. Humans cannot catch West Nile virus directly from birds, according to a county press release.

Residents are also advised to eliminate areas of stagnant water around their homes. To report mosquito problems or stagnant pools of water, residents can call the Department of Public Works Vector Control Division at 631-852-4270.

“Most people experience no symptoms from West Nile virus, however, some people will develop severe symptoms,” said Dr. James Tomarken, commissioner of Health Services.

Seven locations across Riverhead, Aquebogue, Jamesport, and Flanders will be treated for mosquito larvae Wednesday, county officials announced.

Pier Avenue and Indian Island in Riverhead, Overlook, Crescent Duck Farm, and Aquebogue Farm in Aquebogue, Iron Point in Flanders, and Millar Farm in Jamesport will all be sprayed with Vectobac 12 AS pesticide by helicopter from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to the Suffolk County Department of Public Works’ Division of Vector Control.

Kerwin Boulevard, Pipes Neck Creek and Pipes Cove in Greenport will also be sprayed.

Residents are unlikely to be exposed to the pesticides and “the products involved have no significant human toxicity,” a press release states.

“It’s all salt-marsh area so it’s not near any residential areas,” said spokesperson Grace Kelly-McGovern.

The pesticide is registered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and are applied in accordance with the required state and federal permits, county officials said.

Should weather conditions stop the operation, treatment will continue on the next suitable day. Residents don’t need to take precautions against the pesticide, as the helicopter will be flying at “a very low level” over marsh areas.

For more information, call the Suffolk County Division of Vector Control at (631) 852-4270 or the Spraying Information Hotline (631) 852-4939.